The Archbishop of Chicago Reflects on the Life and Legacy of Pope Francis

BIANNA GOLODRYGA, INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, will be at the funeral and will also take part in the conclave, and he’s joining the program live. Cardinal Cupich, thank you so much for joining us today. Your thoughts, your reflections on the passing of Pope Francis?

CARDINAL BLASE J. CUPICH, ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO: Well, Bianna, first of all, thank you for having me. This morning when I heard the news, I have to say that I was stunned and saddened. But as I reflect on his life and ministry, especially these last years in which he has served as the successor of Peter, I come away with a great sense of gratitude that I got to be a part of it and live in a time in which he was pope. He energized the church to move forward. He gave us a more expansive view of what we could be, especially as he called us to be a field hospital in the world, to reach out to people who were suffering. But also reminded us that the name of God is mercy. So, from my standpoint, I just have to look back on these years with a great sense of gratitude that I lived in a time in which he was a pope.

GOLODRYGA: And he was a first — in so many regards, the first pope from Latin America, the first pope in nearly 600 years to take over after a retirement of his predecessor and the first pope to take on the name of St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th century saint of the poor. So, in taking that name, I’m just curious, Cardinal, for you, was that an indication of what his focus of what his priorities would be as pope?

CUPICH: Well, he mentioned that he took that name after one of the cardinals during the conclave, after he was elected, said, don’t forget about the poor. And that stuck with him to the point where it moved and prompted him to choose the name of Francis, who, in fact, was always known in Italian as the poverello, the little poor one who associated with those who were lowly. Even though he himself came from some wealth and prominence in the City of Assisi.

GOLODRYGA: And as sick as he was, and we of course had covered his stay at the hospital and not knowing whether or not he would actually be discharged earlier this year from the hospital having such a lengthy stay, the fact that he made it to deliver that speech on Easter Sunday yesterday to address the masses. He was weak, but he was strong in spirit there for all of those worshipers to see. Just talk about what that says to you, to us, to Catholics around the world about his conviction to his faith.

CUPICH: Well, I think that, yes, his message was very important and it was important for him to raise his voice on behalf of people who are suffering from wars and poverty, also who were trying to find a better life as they migrate. But the other thing that we saw this this Easter day was not just the words — hearing the words that he gave us, but how he accompanied people even to the last, where he wanted to have a ride down the Via della Conciliazione in the Vatican Square there to be with people. He wanted them to know that he was with them. He was a fellow pilgrim with them. And I think that also says much about his legacy. He wanted to accompany people and he told us to accompany one another because we’re all fellow pilgrims.

GOLODRYGA: And he took over at a time when there was great internal strife and division within the church and in the secular world as well. We are just hours after his passing, but I am curious to get your thoughts on his contribution to be more inclusive, to work on some of the issues that drove the biggest criticism within the church and from outside as well.

CUPICH: Well, he had the vision of the Second Vatican Council, and that is what, for me, drew me in a very close relationship with him because I shared that aspiration as well. And the council wanted to make sure that we listened to the joys and the hopes, the griefs and anxieties of people in
this age, and we walk with them. But also, he gave us an understanding that we have to make sure that people who are suffering have a voice in the world today and are not marginalized. And so, time and again, he reminded us of that. And even though there is division in the world and even in the church, he told us that time and again that the lord prayed for unity within the human family before he died. And that is something that we should promote.